Cock Tavern Theatre Closes

At the c*ckwe've always said that size doesn't matter. However, we found out today from Brent Council (during negotiations toextend the venue's entertainment licence) that our Victorian staircases don't meet the current regulations. They are too steep and too short.

There were several minor and rectifiable venue-related council concerns. However there was one stipulation which in this case we could not overcome; our inherited Victorian staircases. The first staircase leads our audience from the pub to the theatre and the second is our emergency exit. Without any funding to rebuild two 110-yearold staircases that serve as our audience access and emergency exit, we have decided to suspend all performances since Tuesday night
(which was the press launch of Rob Hayes' A Butcher Of Distinction). 

With us as only one of two theatres in the entire borough, the compassionate Brent Council did all they could to keep us operating, but ultimately we faced regulations regarding the height and depth of the two staircases, which structurally and financially we cannot resolve. Therefore we have cancelled current performances, and plans are underway to find a new local venue for our theatre.

After two years of in-house producing we have achieved an astonishing amount as we continue to play our own small but vital part in steering the future of British theatre.Artistic Director Adam Spreadbury-Maher says: "I'd like to thank my hard working and talented writers, directors, actors, designers, producers, agents and general management for their dedication, commitment and passion to The c*ckover the past 26 months. I also thank the press for their belief in, and support of, our venue and work, with special mention to the Peter Brook Empty Space Award, and the local and national publications. And to our fearless audiences without whom it would have been lights-out long ago. The c*ckwill continue to produce world-class theatre, so stay
tuned."

We have had to halt the current season of our second Tennessee Williams' world premiere A Cavalier For Milady, led by director GeneDavid Kirk and his astonishing cast, though we are pleased toannounce its autumn transfer to the Charing Cross Theatre (formerly the New Players Theatre), where it will be produced in a double-bill with our previous world premiere Williams' success I Never Get Dressed Till After Dark On Sundays.

All remaining performances of Rob Hayes' world premiere A ButcherOf Distinction (directed by Ned Bennett and published by OberonBooks) have transferred to the King's Head Theatre in Islington, with amended season dates. Customers have been contacted for ticket refunds and reallocations.
We leave the c*ckTavern with immense pride of what we have achieved, and can't wait for our next chapter.

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